Packing device for use in wells



NOV. 29, 1938. W, E BENDELER 2,137,99?Y

PACKING DEVICE FOR USE IN WELLS W. E. BENDELER 2,137,997

FACKING DEVICE FOR USE IIN WELLS Nov. 29, '1938.

Filed Deo. 28, 193e 2 snee'ts-sneet 2 Patented Nov. 1938 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 2,137,997 rAcxmG DEVICE Fon USE 1N WELLS William E.Bendeler, Houston, Tex.

Application December 28, 1936, Serial No. 117,874

18 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to a Well tool and relates more particularly toa packing device for eifecting a seal between two telescopically relatedparts in a well. A general object of the invention is to provide asimple, dependable and practical device for packing between twotelescopically associated parts in a well.

In well drilling and producing operations it is often necessary toarrange one or more strings of pipe, tubing creasing within an outercasing. For example, when a well has been deepened beyond the lower endof a set of cemented-in casing it is customary to arrange a string oftubing or casing through the set outer casing from the surface of theground to extend into the portion 0f the well below the outer casing. Inmost instances the major portion of such an inner string of casing ortubing extending through the set outer casing is unnecessary and uselessexcept that it may be employed to contain or conduct fluids.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packing device forsealing between a casing in a well and a string of pipe, tubing or thelike, ex-

tending through or into the casing whereby the major portion of saidstring may be recovered from the Well. When the device of the presentinvention is properly set and actuated it provides a fluid tight andpressure tight seal between the casing or outer tubular member and asecond tubular member or string entering the lower end of the outermember so that the portion of the said outer member above the device mayperform all the functions that the continuation of the inner stringwould otherwise perform, making it unnecessary to leave the major upperportion of the inner string in the Well. As the use of the packingdevice permits the recovery of the major portion of the inner member orstring from the Well it effects a great economy'in the pipe, tubing,etc. employed in the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packing device of thecharacter mentioned that is capable of forming a dependable andsubstantially permanent fluid tight and pressure tight seal between thecasing or outer part and the inner string.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packing device of thecharacter mentioned that may be easily and quickly positioned and actu.ated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packing device of thecharacter mentioned that substantially permanent seal between the outerpart or casing and a string within the casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved packingdevice of the character mentioned that embodies a spacing and centering5 element to assure the setting of the packer in the desired positionand in an undamaged state, and the proper centering of the packer andthe inner string within the outer string or casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide 10 a packing device ofthe character mentioned that embodies a novel means for setting orarranging the packer in position and for actuating the packer.

The various objects and features of my invenl5 tion will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical preferredforms and applications of vmy invention, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal detailed sectional Aview ofthe packingdevice provided by this invention showing it in position within an outertubular member and surrounding an inner tubular member prior to beingactuated. Fig. 2 is a 25 view similar to Fig. 1 showing the packer beingcompressed or actuated by the setting tool. Fig.

3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View of aportion of the packer before actuation. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig.3 30 showing the position and condition of the parts during or followingactuation of the packer. Fig.

5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view takensubstantially as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. l. Fig. 6 is an enlargedfrag- 35 mentary side elevation of the reinforcement embodied in thepacker illustrated in the figures described above, and Fig. 7 is afragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of another form ofreinforcing means.

'I'he packing device of the present invention may be employed in varioussituations and may be modified in construction to adapt it for Varioususes. In the drawings I have illustrated a. typical -form of theinvention and have shown 45 one manner of employing the device to sealbetween two tubular telescoped members as found in a well. It is to beunderstood that the`inven tion is not to be construed as limited orrestricted to the specific form of the invention about to be 50described lbut that it is to be taken as including any features ormodifications that may fall within the scope of the following claims.

The drawings illustrate an outer tubular memvber which I will term acasing C and which may 5| CII be considered as set or cemented in awell. This outer member or casing C may be considered as extending tothe surface of the ground and as being imperforate to contain andconduct fluid. I have also illustrated a string of tubing, pipe, orcasing extending through the casing C which I will term a string S. Thestring S may have been run through the casing C from the surface of theground to extend into the lower portion of the well drilled beyond thelower end of the set casing C. It will be assumed that the inner stringS has been landed, set or cemented in the well in any of the well knownmanners. In accordance with the usual practice the string Sis made up oflengths or sections I0 of pipe or tubing connected by suitable collarsor couplings I I.

Preparatory to employing the packing device of the present invention andfolowing the setting or cementing of the string S a pipe cutter orcasing cutter is lowered through the casing C to pass downwardly intothestring S. This cutter (not shown) is preferably lowered to a position aslight distance above the lower end of the casing C. Thel casing cutteris preferably provided with a collar finder or device for engagingagainst a collar or coupling II to locate the cutter some distance abovea selected coupling I I. In practice this finder preferably positionsthe cutter about 18 inches above a selected coupling II.

The .cutter is actuated to cut or part the string S at the desired pointand the cutter is then withdrawn from the well. The freed upper portionof the string S is then removed or recovered from the well. As mentionedabove, it is preferred to actuate the cutter a relatively short distanceabove the mwer end of the casing C so that' the major portion of thestrings extending through the casing C may be recovered. This recoveredportion of the string S is, of course, undamaged and is suitable forfurther use. As this portion of the recovered string S is usually themajor portion of the string, a great economy is thus effected. Figs. 1,2 and 3 of the drawings illustrate the string S after it has been cut asdescribed above, and illustrate the upper end portion of the re.-maining or set string S extending upwardly into the casing C.

The packing device provided bythe present invention includes, generally,a spacing and centering ring I2 to be lowered downwardly over the stringS to rest on its uppermost coupling a packer I3 adapted to be passeddownwardly over the upper portion of the string S, and a setting anddriving tool I4 for lowering the packer |3-into place and for actuatingor expanding the packer.

The ring I2 is provided to properly center the upper portion of thestring S in the casing C so that the packer. I3 may be readily passeddownwardly over its upper end portion without injury. In practice thering I2 may be a simple annular member of steel or the like.V 'I'he ringI2 is proportioned to rather closely fit within the casing C and torather closely fit about the cut uppermost section I0 of the string S.The upper end of the centering ring I2,I may be flat and normal whilethe lower end of the ring I2 may be slightly tapered downwardly andoutwardly to readily pass over the cut upper end of the uppermost stringsection I0. The centering and spacing ring I2 may be lowered into thecasing C and passed downwardly over the uppermost section I0 of thestring vS in any suitable ring I2 seats on or comes to rest on the upperend of the uppermost coupling II of the string S. Owing to the ratherclose t of the ring I2 in the casing C and its slight clearance with thestring S the ring serves to properly center the casing C, providing asubstantially uniform annular space around the uppermost section of thestring S to receive the packer I3.

The packer I3 is of novel design rand construction and is capable offorming a fluid tight and pressure tight seal between the inner surfaceol.' the casing C and the outer surface of the uppermost section I0 ofthe string S. The packer I3 includes a tubular reinforcement I 6. Thereinforcement I6 may be formed in various manners and may be of variousconstructions. In thev ,drawings I have illustrated two typical forms ofreinforcements for the packer I3, it being understood that the inventionis not to be restricted to the typical prefered forms of reinforcingmeans illustrated.

The reinforcement I6 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of thedrawings is formed of a-body or piece of sheet metal having amultiplicity of perforations II. 'Ihe perforaticns I1 are relativelylarge and are relatively close together to leave a webbing orscreen-like structure of narrow webs I8. The particular perforations I'Iillustrated have the configuration of parallelograms, it being apparentthat the perforations of the reinforcement may be of various shapes. Thepiece of perforated metal of which the reinforcement I 6 is to be formedmay be initially flat and is shaped or rolled into tube form. Thelongitudinal edges of this tube are then welded together to maintain thereinforcement I6 in the form of a tube of the proper diameter.

The packer I3 includes end rings I9 and 20 at the upper and lower ends,respectively, of the reinforcement I6. The rings formed of steel or thelike and are preferably in the'nature of relatively short tubes orsleeves.

The upper end of the ring |9 is preferably flat and normal and the lowerend of the lower ring 20 is preferably rounded or slightly bevelled towidth. The grooves 2| are provided to receive the end portions of thereinforcement I6 to facilitate the securing of the rings I9 and 20 tothe reinforcement. In practice it has been found desirable to brazetheends of the reinforcement I6 to the rings I9 and 2l) at the grooves 2|.In the drawings I have shown bronze or brazing material 22 occupying thegrooves 2| and securing the rings I9 and 20 to the ends. of thereinforcement I6. The brazing at 22 is preferably annular and may extendsome distance inwardly on the reinforcement I6. The brazing at 22 formssecure connections between the reinforcement I6 and the rings I9 and 20and yet iscapable of limited exure or movement when the packer I3 isactuated as will be hereinafter described.

'Ihe packer I3 further includes a tubular body 23 of sealing material.The body 23 is` preferably cast or molded on'thereinforcement I 6 tocom- |9 and 20 are or initially comparatively long.

pletely enclose the same and to occupy its numerous perforations I1.Being cast on the reinforcement I6 the body 23 has its ends at 0r castto the inner ends of the rings I9 and 20. The body 23 of the packer I2is in the form of an elongate cylindrical tube and its'internal andexternal surfaces may be flush with the corresponding surfaces of theend rings I9 andl 20. 'I'hus the body 23 is proportioned to readily passbetween the internal surface of the casing C and the peripheral surfaceof the section I0. In accordance with the invention the packer body 23is formed of a deformable material substantially unaffected by thefluids in the well. 'I'he body 23 is preferably formed of lead or asimilar relatively soft deformable and relatively non-resilient materialsuch as zinc or certain 'relatively soft alloys. Being molded on thereinforcement I6 the body 23 is suiiciently strong to be run into thewell and passed over the string S without injury. cupying theperforations I1 in the reinforcement I6 securely tietogether theopposite wall portions of the body. As will be noted in the drawings,the body IU with its reinforcement I6 is normally The setting anddriving tool I4 is provided to facilitate the positioning of the packerI3 and the deforming of the packer into sealing contact with the innerwall of the casing C and the outer surface of the string S. The tool I4is adapted to be secured to the lower end of a string X of rod or pipe.In accordance with the preferred form of the invention the tool I4includes an adapter or sub 25 and a tubular section 26 on the sub. Thesub 25 is suitably connected with the lower end of the driving string X.In the parsection 26 is proportioned to pass through the v. casing Cwith suitable clearance and to pass downwardly over the upper end of theuppermost section I of the string S with suitable clearance. The settingand driving tool I4 further includes an effective frangible connectionbetween its section 26 and the packer I3. 'I'his frangible connectionincludes or provides a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves 3|in the exterior of the section 26. The grooves 3| extend longitudinallyof the section 26 and extend upwardly from its lower end. Similar andaligned grooves 3.2 are provided in the upper ring I 9 of the packer I3.Links or straps 33 extend between and connect the tool section 26 andthe upper ring I9 of the packer I3. The straps 33 are received in.

the grooves 3I and 32 so that they do not form protuberances on theouter surface of the assembly. The upper ends of the straps 33 may bearon the upper walls of the grooves 3|. Suitable rivets 33a or the likesecure the straps 3l to the section 26 of the tool I4. The lower ends ofthe straps 33 are spaced a substantial distance above the lower walls ofthe grooves 32. shear pins or rivets 34 secure the straps 33 to the ringI9. The pins or rivets 34 secure the straps 33 to the ring I9 tospacethe upper end of the ring I9 Ysome distance below the lower'end ofthe The portions of the body 23 oc- Frangible tool section 26. Thedistance between the lower ends of the straps 33 and the lower walls ofthe grooves 32 is greater than the space between the opposing ends ofthe ring I9 of the section 26. The frangible pins orrivets 34 aresuiiciently strong to support the packer I3 on the tool section 26during the lowering of the packer through the casing C but may beintentionally broken by the imposition of a relatively heavy force orload. Fig. 7 of the drawings illustrates a form of reinforcement I6a forthe packer body 23 that differs from the reinforcement I 6 in that it isintegral with the end rings I9El and 20a. In other respects thereinforcement I 6a may be similar to or identical with the abovedescribed reinforcement I6. When the reinforcement I6a is formedintegral with the end rings I9a and-2Ila its opposite ends integrallyjoin the opposed inner ends of the rings which may be concaved orgrooved as at 40 to assure an effective bond between the body of thepacker I3 and the end rings.

Assuming that the string S has been set or landed and then cut, asdescribed above, the ring I2 is lowered or run through the casing C topass` downwardly over the out upper end of the uppermost section I0 ofthe string S. The ring I2 may be lowered to seat against the upper endof the uppermost coupling II. As described above, the ring I2 isproportioned to substantially center the upper end portion of the stringS in the casing C thus providing a regular annular space around theuppermost section IIJ of the string. The sub 25 carrying the packer I3is then connected with the lower end of the string X and the assembly isrundownwardly through the casing on the string. The packer I3 is loweredthrough the casing C to pass downwardly over the uppermost section Il)of the string S. The string X is lowered until the lower ring 20 of thepacker I3 engages or rests on the centering ring I2. The lpacker I3 maybe readily passed downwardly over the cut upper section IIJ of thestring S without injury. The straps 33 secure the packer I3 to the sub25 for movement through the casing C on thestring X. Following the abovedescribed setting or locating of the packer I3 the packer is subjectedto expanding or deforming compression. The string X is drivendownwardly, or forced downwardly, or is allowed to settle to impose acomparatively heavy downward pressure on the frangible pins or rivets34. The pins or rivets 34 fail under this relatively heavy pressureallowing the string X and the tool I4 to move downwardly relative to thepacker I3. The lower end of the -tool section 26 is adapted to come intoengagement with the upper end of the ring I9 while the lower ends of thestraps 33 are still spaced above the upper ends or grooves 22.Accordingly, the weight of the string X, a portion of the weight of thestring X, or a downward force exerted on the string X may be imposed onthe packer I3 to expand or deform the same. When the packer I3 is sub-1jected to this deforming compressional strain its length is decreasedand its wall thickness increased. In practice the packer I3 is distortedor expanded by the compressional force to have its external surfacetightly 4seal against the internal surface of the casing C and to haveits internal Ysurface tightly seal against the external surface of theuppermost section of the string S. During this lateral deforming orexpansion of the packer body 23 the length of the body 23 may bematerially decreased. Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrtes the ,packer23-in its actuated state where ittightly seals between the interior ofthe casing C and the outer surface ofthe uppermost section I 0 of thestring S. It is to be understood that sufi-lcient weight or downwardforce may be imposed on the packer 23 to expand or deform it intopositive uid tight and pressure tight sealing engagement with theinterior of the casing C and the external surface of the section I0.

- The breaking of the frangible pins or rivets 34 to effect theactuation or compression of the packer I3 as described above, releasesthe connection between the tool I4 and the packer I3. Accordingly,following the proper actuation of the packer I3 the string X may beraised through the .casing C to withdraw the tool` I4 from the wellwithout in any way disturbing the set or actuated packer I3. Followingthe removal of the string X with the tool I4 thereonany desiredoperations may be carried on in the well. The packer I3 forms aneffective and substantially permanent seal between the upper end portionof the parted or cut string S and the interior of the casing C so thatthe upper porion of the casing C in effect constitutes a continuation ofthe string S for thepassage of tools and for the-containing andconducting of fluid. Accordingly, where the device of the presentinvention is employed the major portion of the inner string S, that iscustomarily run through the casing C to the upper end of the well, maybe recovered from the well for other use. The device is simple andinexpensive to manufacture and may be easily and quickly installed andactuated.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specicdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve 'to myself any variationsor modiiications'that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

' Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in awell including a packer proportioned to be lowered through the outerpart and down over the inner part to a position between said parts whenthe parts are `in the well, and a tool .for imposing a downward force onthe packer when in said position to expand it inwardly against the innerpart and outwardly against the outer parte to seal with both of saidparts.

2. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts inl awell including, a deformable annular packer proportioned to be loweredthrough the outer part and down around the inner part to a positionbetween said parts when the parts are in the well, and means forapplying compression to the packer to deform it into sealing contactwith the inner surface of'the outer part and the outer surface of theinner part.

3. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in awell including, a deformable tubular lead packer proportioned to belowered through the outer part; and down around the inner part to aposition between said parts when the parts are in the well, and meansfor applying compression to the packer to deforxn itinto sealing contactwith the inner surface of the outer part and the outer surface of theinner part.

4. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in aWell, one an outer casing ance and having its upper end within thecasing and below the top of the well including, a tubular packer ofdeformable non-resilient material shiftable relative to the two partsfrom above the tubing to a position between the two parts to bearagainst a protuberance on one of the parts, and means for compressingthe packer axially to expand it laterally to bear directly againstopposing surfaces of said parts.

5. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in awell including, a tubular deformable packer proportioned to be passeddownwardly between said parts when the parts are in the well to have itslower end bear on a projection on one of them, and means for applyingcompression .to the packer to expand it laterally against the opposingsurfaces of the parts, said means including a member to be run into thewell to pass downwardly between said parts and press downwardly againstthe upperV end of the packer.

6. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in awell including, a tubular deformable packer proportioned to passdownwardly in the outer part and over the inner part to a positionbetween said parts where its lower end nbears on a projection on one ofthem, and means for applying compression to the packer to expand itlaterally against the opposing surfaces 'of the parts, said meansincluding a member to be run into the well on an actuating String topass downwardly between said parts and apply a downward force to theupper end of .the packer, and-a releasable connection between the memberand the packer whereby the packer may be' lowered into position on saidstring.

7. A device for sealing between two telescopically related parts in awell including, a tubular deformable packer proportioned togpassdownwardly in the outer part and over the inner part to a positionbetween said parts where its lower end bears on a projection on one of'them, and means for applying compression to the packer to expand itlaterally against the opposing surfaces of the parts, said meansincluding a member to be run into the well on an actuating string topass downwardly between the said parts adapted to apply a downward forceto the upper end o f the packer, and -a frangible connection between themember and the packer whereby the packer may be lowered into position onsaid string.

8. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in awell one of which has a projection, said device including, two elements,one element being a tubular expansible packer to be entered downwardlybetween the partswhen the parts are in the well to have its downwardtravel limited by said projection, the other element being a member tobe run into the well on an actuating string and entered between saidparts and capable of transmitting downward force to the packer to expandit into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces of the parts, andmeansy releasably connecting the elements whereby the packer may be runinto the well on the string, said means including a tie secured to oneelement, and a connection between the tie and the other elementreleasable by force applied by the string whereby the string and membermay be withdrawn from the well following expansion of the packer.

9. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in awell one of which has a projection, said device including, two elements,one element being a tubular expansible packer to be entered downwardlybetween the parts when the parts are in the well to have its downwardtravel limited by said projection, the other element being a memberadapted to be run into the well on an actuating string and enteredbetween said parts and capable of transmitting downward force to thepacker to expand it into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces ofthe parts', and means releasably connecting the elements whereby thepacker Imay be run into the well on the string, said means including atie secured to one element, and a connection between the tie and theother element operating to hold the lower end of the member spaced fromthe upper end of the packer, said connection being releasable by forceapplied by the string whereby the string and member may be withdrawnfrom the well following expanson of the packer.

10. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in awell one of which has a projection, said device including, a centeringelement to be entered downwardly between said parts to rest on saidprotuberance and proportioned to cooperate with the surfaces of theparts to substantially centralize the inner part in the outer part, atubular laterally deformable packer proportioned to be entereddownwardly between said parts when the parts are in the well to rest onthe said element, and means for deforming the packer into sealingcontact with the opposing surfaces of the parts.

1l. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in awell one of which has a projection, said device including, a ring to bepassed downwardly between said parts to said protuberance andproportioned to cooperate with -the surfaces of the parts tosubstantially concentrically space the inner part in the outer part, anexpansible tubular packer to be passed downwardly between the parts whenthe parts are in the well to bear on said ring, and means for applying adownward force to the packer from its upper end to expand it intosealing contact with the opposing surfaces of the parts.

12. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in awell one of which has a projection, said device including, a tubularpacker of deformable substantially non-resilient' material to be passeddownwardly in the outer part and over the inner part to a positionbetween the parts and resting on the projection when the parts are inthe Well, a reinforcement for the packer, and means for applying adownward force to the packer to expand it against the opposing surfacesof the parts.

13. In a device for packing between two telescopically related parts ina well one of which has a projection, an expansible packer to be passeddownwardly between the parts to the projection, the packer including atubular body of readily deformable metal, and a tubular reinforcementcast in the body.

14. In a device for packing between two telescopically related parts ina well one of which has a projection, an expansible packer to be passeddownwardly between the parts to the projection, the packer. including atubular body of readily deformable metal, rings of harder material atthe ends of the body, and a tubular reinforcement extending vthrough thebody and connected with the rings.

l5. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in awell one of which has a projection, said device including, an expansibletubular packer to be passed downwardly between the parts to theprojection, the packer including a body of readily deformable metal,rings of harder material at the ends of the body, and a' tubularperforate reinforcement extending through the body and connected withthe rings, and means for compressing the packer against the projectionto expand it into sealing contact with the opposing surfaces of theparts.

16. In a device for packing between two tele-` scopically related partsin a well one of which has a projection, an expansible tubular packer,to be passed downwardly between the parts to the projection, the packerincluding a tubular body of readily deformable metal, rings of hardermaterial at the ends of the body, and a tubular rein-`forcement'extending through the body and integrally joining the rings.

1'1. In a device for packing between two telescopically related parts ina well one of which has a projection, an expansible tubular packer to bepassed downwardly between the parts to the projection, the packerincluding a body of readily deformable metal, and va tubular foramlnousmetal reinforcement cast in the body.

18. A device for packing between two telescopically related parts in awell one of which has a projection, said device including, a ring to bepassed downwardly between said parts to said projection and proportionedto substantially concentrically space the inner part in the outer part,an expansible tubular packer to be passed downwardly between the partsto bear on said ring, and means for applying a downward force to thepacker from its upper end to expand it into sealing contact with theopposing surfaces of the parts, said means incluing a member to be runinto the well on a setting string and adapted to apply a downwardpressure to the upper end of the packer, and a releasable connectionbetween i.

the member and packer whereby the member and string may be withdrawnfrom the well following g

